Record storage box and mailer

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed herein is a record storage box configured to serve as a mailer and return mailer, having an outer lid and an inner lid. The outer lid is removable upon receipt. The lids may be secured by adhesive, and removed by tearing along lines of weakness. The record storage box so configured can also serve as a tamper evident container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application No.60/828,575 filed on Oct. 6, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the fields of record storage boxes andmailers. More particularly this application relates to round tripmailers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Record storage boxes are well-known in the art, such examples are U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,779,129, 5,850,964, 5,657,925, owned by Fellowes, Inc., andU.S. Pat. No. 5,887,782 exclusively licensed to Fellowes, Inc. Suchboxes are commonly used to store files, documents, and other items in anoffice setting. The storage boxes are also used to ship files anddocuments by common carriers, such as FEDEX, the United States PostalService, and the United Parcel Service among others. When the storageboxes are used for shipping, the lids are generally sealed with tape, asthe box has no provision for securing the lid for shipment. While theuse of tape is well-suited for sealing the box for shipment, it is stillsuited for the use of the box once the box is received by the addressee.If the tape is cut to open the box, unsightly tape remains on theoutside of the box. Additionally, edges of the tape may expose adhesive,which may snag or otherwise interfere with papers being placed into orremoved from the box. Thus, boxes used for shipping are generally nore-used for record storage at the receiving end.

Occasionally, it is desirable to have the party receiving box to returnthe items shipped back to the shipper. In such a case, it is convenientto have the box constructed so that it may be easily sent back to theshipper. Additionally, it is convenient to have the box pre-labeled withinformation or indicia which will allow the box to be shipped back tothe original sender of the box. Such return shipment information needsto be hidden during the original shipment to the recipient; otherwise,the common carrier may be confused as to where the box should bedelivered. Likewise, the original recipient's information should behidden from view when the box is being returned to the original sender.Present record storage boxes have not provision for such use as a returnmailer.

It is also desirable to provide a seal on storage or shipping containersto determine if they have been opened or tampered with.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The record storage box disclosed herein is configured to function as ashipping box. In alternate embodiments, the box can function as a roundtrip box or return mailer. The box can also serve as a tamper evidentstorage or shipping container. Further, the box of the invention can beformed from a box blank or foldable box blank, thereby allowing theboxes to stored flat for shipment to a user and stored flat prior touse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a box blank for a first embodiment of the invention

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the exterior assembly of the bottomof a box of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the exterior assembly of the bottoma box of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the interior assembly of the bottomof a box of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the interior assembly of the bottomof a box of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the interior assembly of the sidesof a box of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a box of the first embodiment, showingthe closing of the inner top flap.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a box of the first embodimenthaving a closed inner top flap and a user removing the release linerfrom the underlying adhesive.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a box of the first embodiments showingthe closing of the box for shipment by sealing of the outer top flap.

FIG. 10 is a perspective you of the box of the first embodiment, showinga user unsealing the box by pulling the tear strip away from the box.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the box of the first embodiment showinga user removing the outer top flap.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the box of the first embodiment showinga user removing the adhesive strip from the underlying adhesive on theinner top flap, thus preparing in the box for return shipment

FIG. 13 is a perspective drawing showing a box of the first embodimentbeing closed for return shipment.

FIG. 14 is a box blank for use in a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the exterior assembly of thebottom of a box of the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the exterior assembly of thebottom a box of the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the interior assembly of thebottom of a box of the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the interior assembly of thebottom of a box of the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the interior assembly of the sidesof a box of the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a box of the second embodiment, showingthe closing of the inner top flap.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a box of the second embodimenthaving a closed inner top flap and a user removing the release linerfrom the underlying adhesive on the tongue of the outer top flap.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a box of the first embodiment showingthe closing of the box for shipment by sealing of the outer top flap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures, the box may be formed from blank 10. Forreference purposes the blank 10 as shown has two primary directions, alongitudinal 2 and a lateral 3 direction.

The blank 10 may be constructed of any material that will form a stiffpanel surface. Preferably, the blank 10 is made of a corrugatedmaterial. Such a material can be constructed from a variety ofsubstances and can have a variety of structures, as are commonly knownin the container art. The corrugated material is typically constructedof two or more layers of linerboard sandwiching one or more layers of afluted material. The linerboard and fluted material are commonly fibermaterials. However, non-fiber corrugated materials, such as plastics andpolyethylene can also be used. Most preferably, the corrugations runparallel to the longitudinal 2 direction.

The blank 10, includes a front wall or panel 12 a back wall or panel 14,a first outer side wall or panel 16, a second outer side wall or panel18, an inner bottom panel 20, an outer bottom panel 22, a first innerside wall or panel 24, a second inner side wall or panel 26, a flange28, a first intermediate side wall or panel 27, a second intermediateside wall or panel 25, an inner top flap 23, an outer top flap 21, aninner top flap tongue 19, and an outer top flap tongue 17.

The panels or walls described above are defined by their outer edges,fold lines, and slits. The fold lines are lines weakness in the blank 10material. Such lines may be perforations, score lines, or any otherstructure to facilitate the folding of the blank 10 along a line.Preferably, the fold lines are score lines. Slits are cuts that extendthrough the material of the blank 10 and are meant to provide for cleanseparation of the panels or walls. When the blank 10 is assembled into abox, the panels are separated along the slits.

The front wall or panel 12 is connected to the second outer side wall orpanel 18 by fold line 32. The front wall 12 is connected to the firstouter side wall or panel 16 by fold line 30. The front wall 12 isconnected to the outer top flap 21 by fold line 31. Fold line 31 ispreferably a perforation so that the outer top flap 21 can be separatedfrom front wall 12 after the box has been used for shipping. The frontwall 12 is connected to the outer bottom panel 22 by fold line 33. Theouter bottom panel 22 is connected to the first intermediate side panel27 by fold line 34 and to the second intermediate side panel 25 by foldline 35.

The outer bottom panel 22 can further include diagonal or “V” shapedlines of weakness, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,964, toRosenbaum et al. or U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,782 to Mueller, which are bothincorporated herein by reference. As shown in FIG. 1, the optionaldiagonal line of weakness 2 extends from the apex of fold line 33 andfold line 34 to the edge 13 of outer bottom panel 22. The diagonal lineof weakness 2 is preferably a score line scored on the outside of theassembled box. The placement and angle of the diagonal line of weakness2 can vary depending upon the dimensions of the box blank, particularlythe side edge 15 of inner side panel 27. Such a diagonal line ofweakness 2 can be applied to any of the embodiments taught herein.

As shown in FIG. 14, two optional diagonal lines of weakness 102 and115, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,782 can also be used in any of theembodiments described herein. As described in the reference patent, thediagonal lines of weakness are preferably reverse score lines. The angleof the diagonal lines of weakness 102 and 115 with reference to theouter edge 103 of the outer side wall 122 are generally at an angle of45 degrees. As shown, the diagonal lines of weakness do not intersect.Such is the case when the width of the intermediate side panels 125 and127, as measured along the longitudinal direction 102, is less thantwice the width of the outer bottom panel 122 in the lateral direction103. The lines of weakness 102 and 115 may intersect for otherdimensions, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,782.

The first outer side wall 16 is defined from the first intermediate sidepanel 27 by slit 36. The second outer side panel 18 is defined from thesecond intermediate side panel 25 by slit 37.

The outer top flap 21 is defined from the first inner side panel 24 byslit 38 and from the second intermediate side panel 26 by slit 39. Theouter top flap 21 is defined from the outer top flap tongue 17 by foldline 40.

The inner top flap 23 is defined from the second inner side panel 26 byslit 41 and from the inner top flap tongue 19, by fold line 42.

The back panel 14 is defined from the second outer side panel 18 by foldline 43, from the inner bottom panel 20 by fold line 44, from the innertop flap 23 by fold line 45, and from the flange 28 by fold line 46. Thefirst inner side panel 24 is connected to the first outer side panel 16by a pair of fold lines 47 and 48. The pair of fold lines 47 and 48 areseparated by approximately 5 millimeters. The fold lines 47 and 48 areseparated, to allow space between the first outer side panel and thefirst inner side panel, the space being of sufficient width toaccommodate the first intermediate side panel 27 there between when thebox is assembled, as described herein. One skilled in the art willrecognize that the pair of fold lines 47 and 48 may be a single foldline and accommodate the intermediate panel. Similarly, the second innerside panel 26 is connected to the second outer side panel 18 by a pairof fold lines 49 and 50.

The outer side panels 18 and 16, include handhold flaps 80 and 81. Thehandhold flaps are cut about a portion of their perimeter. The inner andintermediate side panels include handhold apertures 82 a-d. When the boxis assembled, the handhold apertures in the respective inner and outerside panels align with the handhold flaps 80 and 81, allowing the userto push the handhold flaps 80 and 81 through the hand hold apertures.Similarly, the handhold flaps 180, 181, 280, 281 and apertures 182 a-dand 282 a-d interact in the other embodiments.

To form a box 60 from a blank 10 the flange 28 is attached to the firstouter side panel 16 by any known means, such as adhesive, staples,rivets or any other material or structure used to join two surfaces.Preferably, the flange 28 is attached to the first outer side panel 16near edge 54, prior to delivery to a user of the box. In such aconfiguration the blank 10 may be delivered to the user in a generallyflat and compact condition allowing ease of shipment and storage priorto use. Such joining pre-shipment is not necessary, and joining offlange 28 to the first outer side panel 16 can be left to the user.

The assembly of the blank 10 and functionality of the resulting box 60of the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2-13. To assemble the box 60from the blank 10 folded state, the front wall 12 is placed on a surfaceand the back wall 14 is displaced from the front wall 12 so that a spaceis present there between. Inner bottom panel 20 is rotated into thespace about fold line 44, as directed by arrow 1. First and secondintermediate side walls 25 and 27 are rotated about fold lines 35 and 34respectively, as shown by arrows 2, to lie nearly flat against outerbottom panel 22. As shown in FIG. 3, outer bottom panel 22 is thenrotated about fold line 33 and inserted into the space between frontwall 12 and back wall 14. In doing so, inner bottom panel 20 isdisplaced and pushed up against the back wall 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, the box 60 is now placed on the outer bottom panel22, and the first and second intermediate side walls 25 and 27 arerotated about fold lines 35 and 34 respectively, so that the first andsecond inner side walls 25 and 27 are against first and second outerside walls 18 and 16 respectively. Inner bottom panel 20 is then rotatedabout fold line 44 to rest against the outer bottom panel 22, as shownin FIG. 5.

With the first and second intermediate side walls 25 and 27 adjacent tofirst and second outer side walls 16 and 18 respectively, first andsecond inner side walls 24 and 26 are rotated about fold lines 49 and 50and 47 and 48 so that the inner side walls 24 and 26 are adjacent thefirst and second intermediate side walls 27 and 25 respectively. In sucha configuration, the box 60 is ready to receive contents.

Once the desired contents are placed in the box 60, the inner top flap23 is folded about fold line 45 so that it generally forms a closedcontainer. The inner top flap tongue 19 is placed against the inner sideof the front wall 12.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the user then removes the release liner 51from the underlying adhesive strip 52 present on the outer top flaptongue 17. The outer top flap 21 is then folded about fold line 31 sothat the outer top flap 21 is positioned over the inner top flap 23,allowing the outer top flap tongue 17 to be adhered to the outer surfaceof the front wall 12. So sealed, the box 60 is ready for shipment. As anadded benefit, the seal created by the adhesive allows for readyevidence of any opening of the sealed container, thereby providing atamper evident seal. If the box 60 is being sent by common carrier, theuser may place recipient or addressee indicia 90 on outer top flap 21 sothat the common carrier can determine where the package is to bedelivered.

Upon receipt, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the recipient utilizes a tearstrip 61 to free the outer top flap 21 from the outer top flap tongue 17which is attached to the front wall 12 by adhesive 62. The recipient canthen remove outer top flap 21 from the box 60 by tearing along fold line31. Fold line 31 may be formed by perforations to aid in separation. Aportion of the outer top flap tongue 17 may remain attached to the frontwall 12 due to the action of adhesive strip 72.

By removing the outer top flap 21, the recipient is also removing anyindicia 90 regarding the addressee of the box 60. Thus, the box 60 caneasily be used as a return shipping box, without the need to cover-up orotherwise obliterate or redact the addressee indicia.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, for return shipment, or for a second use asa shipping container, storage container, or tamper evident container,the user removes the release liner 71 from the adhesive 72 on the innertop flap tongue 19, and folds or rotates the inner top flap 23 aboutfold line 45 so as to form a generally closed container. In doing so,the inner top flap tongue 19 is placed adjacent to the back wall 14 sothat the position is held by the adhesive 72. Return addressee indiciais then placed on the inner top flap 23. It is also possible for theoriginal shipper or user to include the return addressee indicia 90 oninner top flap 23 prior to the original shipment.

One can also see that the seal provided by adhesive 72 can provide atamper evident seal. Thus the box 60 described herein can provide twouses as a tamper evident container.

Second Embodiment

The box described in the first embodiment can be simplified so that thereturn mailer function is removed. This is accomplished by removing theadhesive strip and tear strip from one of the box top tongues. A box soformed can serve as a mailer, however upon receipt the box is configuredto use as a storage box, rather than as a return mailer. One skilled inthe art will recognize that such a box can be used as a mailer, howeverthe box will need to be taped shut or otherwise secured. A blank forsuch an embodiment is shown in FIG. 14.

As with the first embodiment, the blank 110 may be constructed of anymaterial that will form a stiff panel surface. Preferably, the blank 110is made of a corrugated cardboard material. Most preferably, thecorrugations run parallel to the longitudinal 102 direction.

The blank 110, includes a front wall 112 a back wall 114, a first outerside wall 116, a second outer side wall 118, an inner bottom panel 120,an outer bottom panel 122, a first inner side wall 124, a second innerside wall 126, a flange 128, a first intermediate side wall 127, asecond intermediate side wall 125, an inner top flap 123, an outer topflap 121, an inner top flap tongue 119, and an outer top flap tongue117.

The panels or walls described above are defined by their outer edges,fold lines, and slits. The fold lines are lines weakness in the blank110 material. Such lines may be perforations, score lines, or any otherstructure to facilitate the folding of the blank 110 along the line.Preferably, the fold lines are score lines.

The front wall 112 is connected to the second outer side wall 118 byfold line 132. The front wall 112 is connected to the first outer sidewall 116 by fold line 130. The front wall 112 is connected to the outertop flap 121 by fold line 131. The front wall 112 is connected to theouter bottom panel 122 by fold line 133. The outer bottom panel 122 isconnected to the first intermediate side panel 127 by fold line 134 andto the second intermediate side panel 125 by fold line 135.

The first outer side wall 116 is defined from the first intermediateside panel 127 by slit 136. The second outer side panel 118 is definedfrom the second intermediate side panel 125 by slit 137.

The outer top flap 121 is defined from the first inner side panel 124 byslit 138 and from the second intermediate side panel 126 by slit 139.The outer top flap 121 is defined from the outer top flap tongue 117 byfold line 140.

The inner top flap 123 is defined from the second inner side panel 126by slit 141 and from the inner top flap tongue 119, by fold line 142.

The back panel 114 is defined from the second outer side panel 118 byfold line 143, from the inner bottom panel 120 by fold line 144, fromthe inner top flap 123 by fold line 145, and from the flange 128 by foldline 146. The first inner side panel 124 is connected to the first outerside panel 116 by a pair of fold lines 147 and 148. The pair of foldlines 147 and 148 are separated by approximately 5 millimeters. The foldlines 147 and 148 are separated, to allow space between the first outerside panel and the first inner side panel, the space being of sufficientwidth to accommodate the first intermediate side panel 127 there betweenwhen the box is assembled, as described herein. One skilled in the artwill recognize that the pair of fold lines 147 and 148 may be a singlefold line and accommodate the intermediate panel. Similarly, the secondinner side panel 126 is connected to the second outer side panel 118 bya pair of fold lines 149 and 150.

To form a box 160 from a blank 110 the flange 128 is attached to thefirst outer side panel 116 by any known means, such as adhesive,staples, rivets or any other material or structure used to join twosurfaces. Preferably, the flange 128 is attached to the first outer sidepanel 116 near edge 154, prior to delivery to a user of the box 160. Insuch a configuration the blank 110 may be delivered to the user in agenerally flat and compact condition allowing ease of shipment andstorage prior to use. Such joining pre-shipment is not necessary, andjoining of flange 128 to the first outer side panel 116 can be left tothe user.

The assembly of the blank 110 and functionality of the resulting box 160of the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 14-24. To assemble the box160 from the blank 110 folded state, the front wall 112 is placed on asurface and the back wall 114 is displaced from the front wall 112 sothat a space is present there between. Inner bottom panel 20 is rotatedinto the space about fold line 144, as directed by arrow 101. First andsecond intermediate side walls 125 and 127 are rotated about fold lines135 and 134 respectively, as shown by arrows 102 and 103, to lie nearlyflat against outer bottom panel 122. As shown in FIG. 16, outer bottompanel 122 is then rotated about fold line 133 and inserted into thespace between front wall 112 and back wall 114. In doing so, innerbottom panel 120 is displaced and pushed up against the back wall 114.

As shown in FIG. 17, the box 160 is now placed on the outer bottom panel122, and the first and second intermediate side walls 125 and 127 arerotated about fold lines 135 and 134 respectively, so that the first andsecond inner side walls 125 and 127 are against first and second outerside walls 118 and 116 respectively. Inner bottom panel 120 is thenrotated about fold line 144 to rest against the outer bottom panel 122,as shown in FIG. 18.

With the first and second intermediate side walls 125 and 127 adjacentto first and second outer side walls 116 and 118 respectively, first andsecond inner side walls 124 and 126 are rotated about fold lines 149 and150 and 147 and 148 so that the inner side walls 124 and 126 areadjacent the first and second intermediate side walls 127 and 125respectively. In such a configuration, the box 160 is ready to receivecontents.

As shown in FIG. 20, once the desired contents are placed in the box160, the inner top flap 123 is folded about fold line 145 so that itgenerally forms a closed container. The inner top flap tongue 119 isplaced against the inner side of the front wall 112.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the user then removes the release liner 151from the underlying adhesive strip 152 present on the outer top flaptongue 117. The outer top flap 121 is then folded about fold line 131 sothat the outer top flap 121 is positioned over the inner top flap 123,allowing the outer top flap tongue 117 to be adhered to the outersurface of the front wall 112, so sealed, the box 160 is ready forshipment. As in the first embodiment, the seal created by the adhesiveallows for ready evidence of any opening of the sealed container.

Upon receipt, the box 160 can be opened as described for the firstembodiment as in FIGS. 10 and 11. The recipient utilizes a tear strip61, corresponding to 161 in the second embodiment to free the outer topflap 21, corresponding to 121 in the second embodiment, from the outertop flap tongue 17, corresponding to 117 in the second embodiment. Therecipient can then remove outer top flap 121 from the box 160 by tearingalong fold line 131. Fold line 131 may be formed by perforations to aidin separation.

Third Embodiment

Consistent with the construction described for the first to embodiments,it may be beneficial to provide a more secure or attachment for theupper top flap of the box, particularly when shipping heavy items, orloose items. To provide for more security, the box blank of the thirdembodiment is provided with three outer top flap tongues, to provide asealed condition about the perimeter of the outer top flap.

As shown in FIG. 23, the box blank 210 of the third embodiment issimilar to the box blank used in the first to embodiments. The blank 210may be constructed of any material that will form a stiff panel surface.Preferably, the blank 210 is made of a corrugated cardboard material.Most preferably, the corrugations run parallel to the longitudinal 202direction.

The blank 210, includes a front wall 212 a back wall 214, a first outerside wall 216, a second outer side wall 218, an inner bottom panel 220,an outer bottom panel 222, a first inner side wall 224, a second innerside wall 226, a flange 228, a first intermediate side wall 227, asecond intermediate side wall 225, an inner top flap 223, an outer topflap 221, an inner top flap tongue 219, and an outer top flap tongue217.

As with the previous embodiments the panels or walls described above aredefined by their outer edges, fold lines, and slits. The fold lines arelines weakness in the blank 210 material. Such lines may beperforations, score lines, or any other structure to facilitate thefolding of the blank 210 along the line. Preferably, the fold lines arescore lines. Slits are cuts that extend through the material of theblank 210 and are meant to provide for clean separation of the panels.

The front wall 212 is connected to the second outer side wall 218 byfold line 232. The front wall 212 is connected to the first outer sidewall 216 by fold line 230. The front wall 212 is connected to the outertop flap 221 by fold line 231. Fold line 31 is preferably a perforationso that the outer top flap 221 can be separated from front wall 212after the box has been used for shipping. The front wall 212 isconnected to the outer bottom panel 222 by fold line 233. The outerbottom panel 222 is connected to the first intermediate side panel 227by fold line 234 and to the second intermediate side panel 225 by foldline 235.

The first outer side wall 216 is defined from the first intermediateside panel 227 by slit 236. The second outer side panel 218 is definedfrom the second intermediate side panel 225 by slit 237.

The outer top flap 221 of the third embodiment includes three tongueportions placed on the perimeter. Tongue portion in 217 is similar instructure to tongues 117 and 17 found in the previous to embodiments.The third embodiment differs, in that it includes two side tongues to 80and 281, placed on the side of the outer top flap 221. Such placement onthe blank 210 dictates that slits 239 and 238 include portions generallyperpendicular to fold lines 249 and 247 and a portion which angles backtowards fold line 231. Although slits 239 and 238 could extend andintersect fold lines 249 and 247 in a generally perpendicular manner,having slits 239 and 238 angle back towards corners of top panel 220provides for a stronger side panel and stronger box structure 210. Andas a result of the tongue portions 281 and 280 being placed on eitherside of outer top panel 221, inner side wall 226 and 224 are notgenerally rectangular as in the previous to embodiments.

The three tongue portions 217, 280, and 281 are separated or definedfrom the outer top flap 221 by a series of perforation 285, 284, and286, which form part of the zips strips 261. Perforations 284, 285, and286 form fold lines along which tongue portions 217, 280, and 281 arefolded to allow attachment to the side surfaces of the box to 10 won thebox to 10 is assembled and sealed for shipment. One skilled in the artwill recognize that the perforations 285, 284, and 286 can take on anumber of different forms, and need not be shaped as shown in FIG. 23.Additionally, one skilled in the art will recognize that otherstructures can be substituted for the perforated zips strips shown inthe figures. For instance, a thread or other linear structure can beembedded in the corrugation of the blank 210. Upon receipt, a user pullson the thread which then acts to rupture or otherwise separate thecorrugations, resulting the and detachment of the structure of thematerial on either side of the thread.

Tongue portions 217, 280, and 281, include patches of adhesive coveredby a release liner 251.

The outer top flap 221 is defined from the first inner side panel 224 byslit 238 and from the second intermediate side panel 226 by slit 239.The outer top flap 221 is defined from the outer top flap tongue 217 byfold line 240.

The inner top flap 223 is defined from the second inner side panel 226by slit 241 and from the inner top flap tongue 219, by fold line 242.

The back wall 214 is defined from the second outer side wall 218 by foldline 243, from the inner bottom panel 220 by fold line 244, from theinner top flap 223 by fold line 245, and from the flange 228 by foldline 246. The first inner side wall 224 is connected to the first outerside panel 216 by a pair of fold lines 247 and 248. The pair of foldlines 247 and 248 are separated by approximately 5 millimeters. The foldlines 247 and 248 are separated, to allow space between the first outerside panel and the first inner side panel, the space being of sufficientwidth to accommodate the first intermediate side panel 227 there betweenwhen the box is assembled, as described herein. One skilled in the artwill recognize that the pair of fold lines 247 and 248 may be a singlefold line and accommodate the intermediate panel. Similarly, the secondinner side panel 226 is connected to the second outer side panel 218 bya pair of fold lines 249 and 250.

To form a box 260 from a blank 210 the flange 228 is attached to thefirst outer side panel 216 by any known means, such as adhesive,staples, rivets or any other material or structure used to join twosurfaces. Preferably, the flange 228 is attached to the first outer sidepanel 216 near edge 254, prior to delivery to a user of the box. In sucha configuration the blank 210 may be delivered to the user in agenerally flat and compact condition allowing ease of shipment andstorage prior to use. Such joining pre-shipment is not necessary, andjoining of flange 228 to the first outer side panel 216 can be left tothe user.

The assembly of the blank 210 and functionality of the resulting box 260of the third embodiment generally follows the assembly of the box of thefirst embodiment, shown in FIGS. 2-13. The major difference in assemblyof the box to 10 of the third embodiment, is that the user will usethree tongue portions 280, 217, and 281, to seal the box 210. Forinstance, tongue portion 217 will attach to back wall 214, tongueportion 280 will attach to outer side wall 218, and tongue portion 281will attach to outer side wall 216.

As with the previous to embodiments, upon receipt of the sealed box, theuser will unseal the box by removing the zip strips 261 of all threetongue portions 281, 217, and 280. Outer top flap 221 may then beremoved by tearing off along perforation 231. Removal of the outer ortop panel 221 thus removes any indicia of the address of the recipient.Inner top panel 223 is then used to close the box for storage purposes.

In an additional embodiments, tongue 219 may include an adhesive andrelease liner as found on tongue 19 in the first embodiment. Tongue 119may also include a zip strip or other structure to permit separation oftongue 119 and inner top panel 123. Inclusion of these structures wouldallow the box to be used for return shipment.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the three embodimentsdescribed herein share functions, features, descriptions, structures,definitions, and components may be shared by the embodiments, and arenot necessarily restricted to the section or embodiment particularlydescribed. The examples described herein are merely examples, and arenot meant to limit the scope of the invention and claims.

1. A box for shipping and storing items, the box made from a unitaryblank of material the box including: A front wall, a back wall, a firstsidewall, a second sidewall, and a bottom panel, the panels assembled toform a storage area there between; an inner top panel hingedly attachedto the back wall; an outer top panel hingedly attached to the frontwall; a first tongue connected to the outer top panel, the tongueincluding an adhesive strip positioned between the first tongue and theback panel wall when the outer top panel is placed across the storagearea to close the box.
 2. The box of claim 1, where a perforationpermits separation of the first tongue from the outer top panel.
 3. Thebox of claim 1, wherein the first tongue includes a zip strip.
 4. Thebox of claim 1, wherein the outer top panel and the front wall areseparable along a line of weakness.
 5. The box of claim 4, wherein theline of weakness is formed by perforations.
 6. The box of claim 4,further including a second tongue on the inner top panel, the secondtongue being separable from the inner top panel by a line of weakness.7. A method of using the box of claim 1, the method including the stepsof placing indicia related to a return address on the inner top panel,placing indicia relating to a recipients address on the outer top panel,placing contents to be shipped to the recipient into the storage area ofthe box, sealing the box for shipment and shipping the box to therecipient, the recipient opening the box and separating the outer toppanel from the back wall, placing an item to be shipped to the returnaddress into the storage area of the box, sealing the box and shippingthe box to the return address.
 8. A box for shipping and storing items,the box made from a unitary blank of material the box including: A frontwall, a back wall, a first inner sidewall, a second inner sidewall, andan inner bottom panel, the panels assembled to form a storage area therebetween; an inner top panel hingedly attached to the back wall; an outertop panel hingedly attached to the front wall; a first tongue portionconnected to the outer top panel, the tongue portion including anadhesive strip positioned between the first tongue portion and the backpanel when the outer top panel is placed across the storage area toclose the box, and a second tongue portion connected to the inner toppanel.
 9. The box of claim 8 wherein the second tongue portion includesan adhesive strip positioned between the second tongue portion and thefront panel when the inner top panel is placed across the storage area.10. The box of claim 8, wherein the first tongue portion includes a lineof weakness to allow separation from the outer top panel.
 11. The box ofclaim 8, wherein the first tongue portion includes a zip strip.
 12. Thebox of claim 8, wherein the outer top panel and the front wall areseparable along a line of weakness.
 13. The box of claim 8, wherein theline of weakness is formed by perforations.
 14. The box of claim 8,wherein the second tongue portion includes an adhesive strip, and a lineof weakness to allow separation of the second tongue from the outer toppanel, the line of weakness being positioned between the adhesive stripand the outer top panel.
 15. The box of claim 14, wherein the outer toppanel and front wall are separable along a second line of weakness. 16.The box of claim 1, further including a third tongue connected to theouter top panel by a third line of weakness and a fourth tongueconnected to the outer top panel by a fourth line of weakness, the thirdand forth tongues each having adhesive.
 17. The box of claim 16, whereinthe third and fourth lines of weakness are perforations.
 18. The box ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second side walls are each constructed ofan inner side wall, intermediate side wall, and an outer side wall, theintermediate side wall being positioned between the inner and outer sidewalls.
 19. The box of claim 1, wherein the first side wall is formed bya first inner side wall, a first intermediate side wall, and a firstouter side wall, the first inner side wall connected to the first outersidewall, and the first intermediate side wall connected to the outerbottom wall, and positioned between the first inner side wall and firstouter side wall, and the second side wall is formed by a second innerside wall, a second intermediate side wall, and a second outer sidewall, the second inner side wall connected to the second outer sidewall,and the second intermediate side wall connected to the outer bottomwall, and positioned between the second inner side wall and second outerside wall.
 20. The box of claim 19, further including a third tongueconnected to the outer top panel by a third line of weakness and afourth tongue connected to the outer top panel by a fourth line ofweakness, the third and forth tongues each having adhesive.